On Pheelz Good, Pheelz is a hopeless romantic, hustler, and superstar who makes a muse of these personalities on his sophomore project…
By Hope Ibiale
Recently, the Nigerian music industry has seen an influx of music producers abandoning the background for more inclusive roles in the industry. Producers like Young Jonn, Pheelz, and most recently, Kel P, have successfully transitioned from being behind some of the best records in the country to sitting at the forefront of their records. With over a decade spent in the music industry, Phillip Kayode Moses, popularly known as Pheelz, has helmed the production of great projects of artistes like Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, and many more. Now, Pheelz is spearheading the production of his songs, and recently, he took things up a notch by releasing his sophomore EP, Pheelz Good.
For many music lovers, “Finesse” was their introduction to Pheelz’s singing side; to others, the song seemed like a one-hit-wonder. But since the release of “Finesse,” he has continuously proven to everyone that he is here to stay. With a Warner Records deal and multiple certifications in the bag, he is moon walking on his superstar status, and on his latest project, the singer/songwriter and music producer displays this superstar status. At the same time, he allows his hustler spirit and lover boy side to seep through the 8-track project. And so, as a nod to the different personalities displayed in the project, the cover art shows three masks, each representing the critical themes explored. Here, Pheelz is a hopeless romantic, a hustler, and a superstar who makes a muse of these personalities.
Inspired by these personalities, Pheelz Good reveals different layers of the artiste coated with heartbreak, love, uncertainty, fun, and an acceptance of his superstar status. In the opening song, “Ballin,” Pheelz reflects on his newly-found success “Tell me, is it real life or is it only just a fantasy? Is this my reality? Am I really this high?” He is shown watching some of his performances in the accompanying music video. This indicates that despite his status, he is still attempting, gradually, to accept stardom. Here, he sings about naysayers and lets everyone know he has paid his dues. In “Ballin,” Pheelz doesn’t just reflect; he also speaks to anyone who needs a little motivation. With the progression of the piano keys, the production doesn’t move away from the emotions in the song. Instead, it merges itself with the lyrics and creates the perfect atmosphere.
The love explored in “Stand by You” results from a patient and sustainable partnership. Here, Pheelz’s hopeless romantic side comes out to play. Despite how unlucky his song’s subject has been with love in the song, Pheelz decides to give love a chance. Over the mid-tempo beat, Pheelz’s laid-back vocals carry his heartfelt intentions.
“Pheelz like Summer” dwells on the theme explored in “Stand by you.” Pheelz maintains a calm demeanor. The bouncy percussion gives the song a Summer feel, and the subtle interpolation of K-Ci and Jojo’s “All My Life” at different parts of the song leaves a nostalgic feeling. Here, he is not just a swooning lover but a confident artiste who understands his voice and is attuned to his emotions. He sings, “You know I put nothing above you. So many lie, but girl, you’re the truth, and I’m so proud to call you my boo.” “Stand by You” and “Pheelz like Summer” are cut from the same theme on this project. The former sees the artiste taking another chance with love, while Pheelz is a hopeless romantic who can’t get enough of his love interest in the latter.
I have possibly listened to “Electricity” a million times; nonetheless, listening again is still refreshing. The drums, catchy lyrics, the “Davido effect,” and the undeniable energy between the artistes make “Electricity” one of the best songs on this project. With this track, he moves from his lover boy phase to having a good time. “Finesse” follows closely with its infectious lyrics. Considered one of the best songs released in 2022, the BNXN-assisted song sees both artistes singing about living life on their terms. Here, he brings us tales of extravagant life, doling out details in succulent morsels. “And I’ve been living fast life, but I see it in slow-mo. Oh no, and you see my lifestyle like a G’s in the turbo,” he sings. Placing “Electricity” and “Finesse” in the middle of the EP jerks listeners from the love bubble the previous songs have put them in. Also, the choice of collaborators has a positive effect on the songs as both musicians give riveting performances.
The way Pheelz samples different songs on this project reiterates his understanding of music. On “Pablo Escobar,” he samples Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it that way,” and he hides nothing. Here, he continues what he started in “Ballin.” He likens himself to the famous Colombian drug baron while warning young musicians about the harsh reality of the music industry. “My niggas, stay on guard ’cause the street is so cold. You no fit carry the weight I put on my shoulder,” he sings.
The next track, “Emi Laye Mi,” sounds like a song that can fit easily into Small Doctor’s or Zlatan’s musical projects. But Zlatan’s energy is what Pheelz needs, and without it, the song becomes uninteresting. He tries to incorporate street slangs and tries his best to sound like a street performer in some sections of the song, but he falls short.
After running through scenes of love, heartbreak, stardom, growth, and living life on one’s terms, Pheelz Good ends with “Ewele,” a song that reintroduces some of the elements used at the beginning of the project. Unlike “Emi Laye Mi,” the drums and percussion employed in “Ewele” allows him to sing within his vocal range and not overburden himself. Here, he retains his cool vocals, and ends the project well. “I sharply stand, and I turn on the light and turn up the mic ah,” he sings, hammering on his hustling spirit.
Across the EP, Pheelz shows himself as a music connoisseur. In contrast to his debut EP, Hear Me Out, which showed him as an artiste finding his sound, Pheelz morphs into an artist whose confidence is evident on every track. The decision to sample records like “All My Life” and “I Want it that Way” shows that he understands music and isn’t afraid to experiment. In terms of song arrangement, each song fits into those masks displayed on the project’s cover art. For the hopeless romantic side, “Stand by You” and “Pheelz like Summer” fit into that pocket. While “Electricity” and “Finesse” carry a carefree vibe and fit into the soft life narrative, “Pablo Escobar” and “Ballin,” glides through Pheelz’s superstar status and shares nuggets that have helped him.
Overall, Pheelz Good captures Pheelz’s different personalities and offers listeners the right emotions to understand the artiste’s true state of mind. The project’s production takes influences from Pop, RnB, and Street-Pop, demonstrating an innate understanding of style. Each song stands on its own. Across the 21-minute runtime, his confidence is plastered throughout the eight tracks as he pens heartfelt love notes to his lover, gives words of advice, and ridicules naysayers. He uses his voice to transport listeners while remaining within his vocal comfort zone. With Pheelz Good, he presents an enjoyable project that not only solidifies his craft as a performer, but also documents his evolution as a recording artiste.
Lyricism – 1.3
Tracklisting – 1.2
Sound Engineering – 1.2
Vocalisation – 1
Listening Experience – 1.4
Rating: 6.1/10
Hope Ibiale is a writer and a book lover. She is currently a student of Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan.